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Notes: Wisdom of a Derby champ

Notes: Wisdom of a Derby champ

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By Lyle Spencer
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Garret Anderson isn't one to impose his viewpoint on anyone, but if teammate 2007 Century 21 Home Run Derby participant Vladimir Guerrero asks, he'll pass along some advice that Troy Glaus provided before Anderson won the 2003 Derby in Chicago, outdueling Albert Pujols in the finale.

"Troy told me that the one thing you don't want to do is overswing," Anderson said. "I took his advice, and it worked. I really didn't swing that hard. I got into a nice rhythm with Dave Valle as my pitcher. He put the ball where I like it, and I got in a nice groove.

"I remember Albert and Jason [Giambi] putting on a show in the round before the final. They were crushing balls. Maybe Albert wore himself out. That's a nice memory for me, the whole experience in Chicago."

A replacement in left field for Manny Ramirez, Anderson claimed the All-Star Game MVP Award when he went 3-for-4 with a homer and double, driving in two runs in the AL's victory. He became the first player since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991 to claim the Home Run Derby and MVP.

"G.A. was fine after he won the Home Run Derby," said Scioscia, who managed the AL stars in Chicago as 2002 World Series champion. "I don't think the Derby is going to make much of a difference with Vlad."

Day at the Zoo: Visitors have been known to come unglued amid the unrelenting noise and verbal abuse at Yankee Stadium. The Angels are different. They like the Bronx, zoo atmosphere and all. They've made it their custom to roll with the flow, rather than resisting the tide.

After Friday night's 14-9 loss, the Angels are 19-15 at Yankee Stadium in the eight years of Scioscia's managerial run, taking 11 of the past 17. That doesn't include their 2-2 postseason record in the Bronx en route to ALDS triumphs in 2002 and 2005.

"I cannot speak for anybody else, but I like it here," said Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez, whose first experience with the Bronx came when he won Game 2 of the 2002 playoff series as Troy Percival's young setup man.

"When they're booing you, that means you're doing your job. If I get booed, they're scared of me. They get you in the game; you want to shut it down, all that noise, the trash talking.

"In places like here and Boston, fans are right on top of you. It's like that in my country, Venezuela. I love pitching at home, at Angel Stadium, too. You've got the energy of the crowd there to get you going."

An All-Star for the second time, K-Rod heads for San Francisco after Sunday's series finale with Guerrero and John Lackey, who faced Clemens in Saturday's marquee duel.

Short hops: Howie Kendrick was back in the lineup on Saturday after missing two games with a bruised left index finger, taking a crack at The Rocket. ... Justin Speier, hoping to provide some second-half relief, is pitching back-to-back games for Class A Rancho California. Out since the end of April with an intestinal infection, he'll be evaluated after the All-Star break and could rejoin the Angels staff. ... Outfielder Juan Rivera (broken leg) continues to make progress in baseball activities in Arizona and could be back by September if his rehab goes well.

On deck: Ervin Santana (5-9, 5.35 ERA) will face Chien-Ming Wang (8-4, 3.58 ERA) on Sunday at 10:05 a.m. PT in the final game before the All-Star break.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.